2-day River Festival Returns

Canceled Last Year, Event Begins Friday

CROMWELL — The Riverport Festival kicks off Friday after a one-year hiatus, celebrating the close proximity of historic downtown to the Connecticut River.

The festival was started about a decade ago by the economic development commission as a means of creating awareness of the downtown area, festival organizer Craig Stevenson said last week.

The festival runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday in downtown Cromwell.

Featured will be food, rides, entertainment and music, a classic car show and a re-enactment of 1850s riverfront living at Cromwell Landing.

Stevenson, noting that last year's planned festival had to be canceled because of inclement weather, said that volunteers have worked hard to make the upcoming event memorable.

``People have really come to the table to make this event happen,'' event Chairman Allan Spotts said of a small army of volunteers.

Food and refreshments will be available starting at 4 p.m. Friday at Cromwell High School, when the school's football squad plays Tolland High School.

Amusements and rides will open at 6 p.m. Friday, with the Accounting Crows scheduled to provide entertainment at 7 p.m.

Saturday is likewise crammed with activities, starting at 9 a.m. with a 3.5-mile race sponsored by the local Masonic Lodge.

Dash plaques and prizes will be awarded at the third annual pre-1980s auto show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., called Cruisin' Riverport. Music will be provided by The Doo Wop DJ.

Fest-goers can cruise the scenic Connecticut River aboard the yacht ``Mystique,'' leaving hourly from the Marino Brothers dock on River Road.

At the riverfront park, Al Kostuk and the Pisgah Mountain Primatives will depict how Cromwell residents lived along the riverport more than 100 years ago.

The local Freemasons are offering a child identification program, with parents able to take home a digital photo and other important identification tools.

The grand prize is a 2005 Ford Focus in a raffle benefiting the library at the new Woodside Elementary School. Chances of winning are better than one in 4,000, according to event organizers.

Tickets, at $5 each, are available at Liberty Bank, Sheikh's Dairy Plus, Quick E Sign and Copy Center, Mario's Pizza, New Imagine Hair Design, Bishop's Citgo, Edgewood Party Rental and town hall. There will be a food court with a varied menu including fries, doughnuts, pizza and ice cream. Carm Sarentino will be offering steak sandwiches.